On the Galapagos Islands, you're never alone. Sea lions bask on the beaches, seabirds nest in the thousands, and giant tortoises cover the walking trail. Combining two distinct itineraries, this Galapagos tour for solo travelers offers a tailored blend of everything the archipelago can offer an individual adventurer. You'll island hop and enjoy outdoor adventures with the wildlife, then join a 5-day small-group cruise through the remote eastern islands, immersing yourself in the portraits of natural...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Guayaquil – Exploring the Port City
While Quito delights in its old-world charm, the port city of Guayaquil goes under most tourist radars. It's big and bustling, with the immersion in local life practically guaranteed. After landing in Guayaquil, you spend the day with a local guide who picks out the hidden highlights of the city. Sample street food at vibrant markets, sip Ecuadorian cafe on al fresco terraces, and revel in the colorful chaos that cascades through the city. While it may look daunting if you're on your own, Guayaquil is a fantastic city to explore with a local guide. It offers an authentic revelation of local life and there's never a dull moment. With the natural realm taking up the rest of your vacation, today's a chance to glimpse another side of Ecuador.
What's Included:
Day 2
Santa Cruz Island – The Galapagos World
Day 3
Isabela – Kayaking and Snorkeling
Day 4
Isabela – Hiking Along Great Volcanoes
Day 5
Isabela – Lava Tunnels and the Marine World
Day 6
Santa Cruz Island – Discovering Tintoreras
Day 7
Overnight Cruise – Incredible Birdlife
Day 8
Overnight Cruise – The Remote Fringes of the Galapagos
Day 9
Overnight Cruise – The Wonder of San Cristobal
Day 10
Overnight Cruise – Snorkeling around Santa Fe
Day 11
Guayaquil – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Island hop through the Galapagos Islands for five days and encounter its surreal wonder on a kayak, on a volcano, and from the ocean-facing balconies of luxury lodges
- Embark on Galapagos tours of the most remote wildlife sites with a 5-day small-group cruise through the eastern islands
- Encounter almost all of the archipelago's famous wildlife, from sea lions to seahorses, and red-footed boobies to giant tortoises
- Lounge on resplendently white beaches that are devoid of footprints but alive with the curious antics of sea lions
- Share the adventure with other solo travelers as you combine two expertly guided itineraries, one based on land and one on the ocean
- Wander through the vivid breeding grounds of seabirds and watch the mating displays of magnificent frigates, blue-footed boobies, and other unique seabirds
- Snorkel into lavish marine worlds where reef sharks and sea turtles are among the residents
Detailed Description
For over a million years, the Galapagos Islands have been a prized destination for intrepid solo travelers. The first reptiles arrived here by floating on trees that had fallen from the mainland. Each castaway evolved distinctly dependent on the island it landed on, the first steps in the astonishing wildlife metamorphosis to be found on these volcanic islands. Rather than visit only one island, your Galapagos tour for solo travelers hops between them, enabling you to experience every aspect of the natural realm. Undertake outdoor adventures for the first six days: kayak with sea lions, snorkel with sharks and sea turtles, and hike along the hissing rim of the world's second largest caldera. Then indulge in the serenity of the archipelago, with a 5-day cruise to remote spots in the eastern Galapagos. It's intimate and immersive, every hour bringing remarkable wildlife worlds and the feeling of following in Darwin's footprints. Consider reading more about your highly experienced travel agents for Galapagos Islands who will help craft your perfect customizable itinerary.
After an overnight in the bustling city of Guayaquil, you're welcomed to the Galapagos by giant tortoises. These descendants of the islands' first arrivals cover the highlands of Santa Cruz, marking an evocative introduction to ten days of wildlife. Then an active first few days of island hopping allow you to admire the archipelago from a dozen different angles. Splitting your time between the islands of Santa Cruz and Isabela, you enjoy small-group excursions to mystical sites; head underwater at the Los Tuneles lava arches, paddle alongside curious sea lions, walk across volcanic cliffs, and watch seabirds swoop past your ocean-facing balconies. These five days provide a thrilling journey into a realm that's never quiet. Even when you're on a seemingly deserted white beach, a sea lion pokes her head around the corner.
Then experience the cruise, a small-group expedition to the remote islands and islets of the Eastern Galapagos. Discover isolated wildlife sites like South Plaza and Isla Lobos (Sea Lion Island), wander around the mass breeding grounds of blue-footed boobies, and discover the strange endemic characters of the islands. Magnificent frigates nest in the thousands, marine iguanas sneeze out salt, mockingbirds tweet from above, while a kaleidoscope of marine life twinkles along the reefs. It's on these island fringes that you find the eclectic and the wonderful, the marvels of nature's evolutionary spell. Yet the cruise adventure is also a serene one, just you and a small group exploring the volcanic pinnacles of the Pacific Ocean. Like the first reptiles that arrived here, you soon discover that the Galapagos can be a place of supreme solitude. But it can also be a place of new adventures shared with others.
Starting Price
$13,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.88 stars based on 212 reviews.
Reviewed By Kelly S.
Reviewed By ann h.
Reviewed By Mamta S.
Reviewed By Ashlie C.
Reviewed By Barbara K.
Reviewed By Chris M.